We’re just being responsible.

Taking care of things before they become problems.”

The recording ended, leaving me in silence, save for the ticking of James’s old desk clock.

I sat motionless, tears tracking silently down my cheeks—not from sadness, but from a cold, clarifying rage I had never felt before.

They were planning to shut me away, sell my home, and send Alice off to boarding school, all while convincing themselves they were being responsible.

I wiped my face and texted Luka.